Emma Waters

I design strategic solutions to complex problems for enterprise applications. This often involves leading collaboration across multiple cross-functional teams to anticipate challenges and ensure every aspect is thoughtfully considered. I lead with courage, compassion, and integrity.

My work is guided by a core philosophy that we rarely start from scratch. Isaac Newton once said, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants,” recognizing that his achievements were built on the work and knowledge of those before him. The blueprint for success is often hidden in plain sight. Together, we can create seamless experiences that meet user and business needs.

In my free time, you can find me with a good book, writing for my blog, out on a long run, crafting something by hand, or cherishing time with family and friends.

Career Highlights:

Led the design and implementation of a new design system for the Veterans Benefits Management System, supporting 46 development teams. This initiative included a comprehensive guide to our design principles and their practical application. I also played a key role in the project's AI transformation, helping teams integrate automation into their workflows. Additionally, I designed a user feedback tool to collect and analyze user experience data. This work contributed to record-breaking performance in FY2025, with over 2 million claims processed, 14% more than the previous year, alongside faster processing times and a claims accuracy rate exceeding 92%
Redesigned the GI Bill Comparison Tool in support of the VA’s goal to help Veterans access and use their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. The redesign simplified the user experience by introducing smarter search functionality and adding a highly requested comparison feature. These updates modernized the platform and broadened the scope of education and training options available to Veterans. As a result, the tool has seen increased site traffic and greater GI Bill usage.
Designer and researcher for the launch of FiscalData.treasury.gov, a central hub for federal financial data. At launch, we successfully consolidated 18 of the most popular federal financial datasets into one user-friendly location, incorperating the most highly requested features. This project directly promoted the Bureau of the Fiscal Services core mission to enhance transparency and public trust by improving data consistency and quality.